Against 299 other 4-cyl cars rated 1987–1989, the Skyhawk beats their 23.8 mpg average by 2.2 mpg, about $136 a year.
Every Buick Skyhawk engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 23 / 33.5 | 1984–1986 | $1,449 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 33 | 1985–1989 | $1,460 |
What that actually costs
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1989) | $0.123 |
| Fuel per year | $1,477 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,385 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 1987–1989 | −$136 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,367 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1989 Buick Skyhawk gives up 10 mpg in town: 33 on the highway against 23 in the city, $506 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1989) | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33 mpg | $1,164 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Skyhawk changed over the years
The Skyhawk peaked in 1988 at 27 mpg (23 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 26 — 1 mpg apart, or $55 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1989 car does 26.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1988 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1987 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1986 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1985 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1984 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Buick Skyhawk — 2 engines across 1984–1989. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,367. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1989 Buick Skyhawk get?
26 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Skyhawk has averaged 26.3 mpg.
Is the 1989 Skyhawk more efficient than the 1988?
No: 26 against 27 mpg combined, about $55 a year more to run.
Which Skyhawk year has the best gas mileage?
The 1988, at 27 mpg combined (23 city, 34 highway).
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.